During a heated debate on a Legislative Instrument (L.I) that has not yet been laid, Speaker Alban Bagbin chastised Ursula Owusu, the Minister for Communications and Digitization, in a tense moment in Parliament.
Both the Majority and the Minority participated in the conversation, which focused on the suggested restriction on the importation of strategic products into the nation.
As the debate went on, Ursula Owusu attracted the Speaker’s attention by raising concerns about the House’s discussion of the LI despite it not having been formally presented to them.
She said, “Mr. Speaker, I believe that the L.I has not been laid. So, I have no idea what we are debating in this House today. There is nothing before the house. So as you indicated to the minister that we are not yet there, I was of the opinion that you would tell my colleagues on the other side that there is nothing before us.”
The Speaker stepped in and questioned, “Hon. Minister, where you here from the very beginning” to which Ursula Owusu-Ekuful responded, “No I have been here since morning, even before the prayers.”
The Speaker asked her additional questions, “Then why did you say no, do you really listen to yourself when you are talking?
“Yes I do,” she responded.
Once more interjecting, the Speaker stated, “If you were here from the very beginning and I asked you if you were here from the very first beginning, you said no. The you continue, and now you are telling me you were here even before I entered. So, it means you were not listening to yourself.”
The Ablekuma West MP defended her position by saying, “This is the first time I am appearing in the House this week. I have been here since the beginning of proceedings today, and I do listen to myself very carefully.”
Furious, Alban Bagbin resorted ” I don’t think so,” to which Mrs. Ursula said the Speaker was entitled to his opinion.
Then the Speaker of Parliament then ordered her to resume her seat stating “Hon. Minister, this is not Ministry of Communication; this is Parliament. Resume your seat.”
“Do you really listen to yourself when you’re talking?” – Speaker, @askbagbin to Ursula Owusu #CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/7jQGPus6ky
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) November 28, 2023
